Electromagnetic operating mechanism for typewriters



H. JARMANN Jan. 8, 1952 ELECTROMAGNETIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 30. 1948 Inventor Herman Jarmann m B} Am Attorneys H. JARMANN Jan. 8, 1952 ELECTROMAGNETIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 30, 1948 Fig.5.

Fig. 7.

Inventor Herman Jarmann Jan. 8, 1952 H.'JARMANN 2,581,665

ELECTROMAGNETIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed July 30. 1948 4 Sh ts-Sheet s Fig. F/g.9 /2 48 Fig. /2 22 28 i 45 //I// 30 36 \z 2i 29 2o IHIIHIIIIEI 2 I F 59 Q 53 58 23 E &

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42 /4 28 I 'lp J 22 2/ I Inventor 28 I 29 Herman Jarmann Jan. 8, 1952 {,5 JARMANN 2,581,665

ELECTROMAGNETIC OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed July 30, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 HUD BACK SPACE CARRIAGE RETURN MARGIN RELEASE TABULATOR Xx :1 2 E I] 06 F :3 s

III III Li Li Li CASE SHIFT BACK SPACE) CARRIAGE RETURMZ) MARGIN RELEASE( 3) TABULATOR L'Iuu /I&

SPACE BAR Fig.

CASE SHIFT :Q 1; g Herman Jarmann a, INVENTOR.

by 2mm WF FM SPARE Patented Jan. 8, 1952 ELECTROMAGNETIC OPERATING MECH- ANISM FOR TYPEWRITERS Herman J armann, Schodack'Landing, N. Y; Application J uly'30, 1948, Serial No. 41,598

' 14. Claimsl; (Cl. 197-49) My invention relates to improvements'in elec-.-. tromagnetic operating means for typewriters of commerce.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an electromagnetic mechanism of simple form and few parts to take the place of the conventional keyboard of typewriters and eliminate completely fingershifting from key to key in typing and other operations of the typewriter.

Another object is to provide mechanism of the character and for the purpose above set forth enabling resting of the hands while operating the mechanism and typewriter and so as to obviate muscular tension caused by suspension of the arms and hands necessary in operation of the conventional typewriter.

Still another object is to provide in operating the conventional typewriter for reducing to a minimum tiring elbow motion.

Still another object is to provide electromagnetic operating mechanism for a typewriter involving fewer electromagnets than other mechanisms designed for a similar purpose, and for otherwise simplifying such mechanisms and ren-.- dering the same inexpensive to install, manufacture and service. 7 7

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention, together with the precise nature of my improvements will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation, partly in section, illustrating my invention applied in the preferred embodiment thereof;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical transverse section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a View in front elevation of the slidable casing for the line of solenoids;

Figure 4 is a View in end elevation of the same;

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the slidable frame for the slidable casing and with solenoid parts carried thereby;

Figure 6 is a view in end elevation of the same;

Figure 7 is a view in end elevation of thefixed skeleton frame with the slidable frame therein and the slidable casing in the slidable frame with the solenoids for sliding said casing and slidable frame;

Figure 8 is a view in vertical transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of the selector viewed from the lefthand side thereof; l

Figure 10 is a view in rear elevation of the selector;

Figure 11 is a view in front elevation of the I Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the circuit; Figure 16 is a diagrammatic View of the line of solenoids and the levers operated thereby designated in accordance with the operations effected in the typewriter by depression of the levers;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view of the left: hand push button switch carrier with the push buttons designated in accordance with the operations effected by closing of the push button switches in the different positions of the line of solenoids; and

Figure 18 is a similar view of the right-hand push button switch carrier.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals, and especially to Figures 1, 2 and 16, according to my invention, the conventionalupstroke type.- writer, shown generally as sufficient for the pres: ent purposes, and designated by the numeral I, is operated through the medium of horizontal, depressible levers 2 arranged in a series in sideby-side relation and corresponding to the usual key levers of the typewriter, but with the key ends removed. The 1evers 2 of the series are operative, in a manner presently described, to effect the usual various operations in the typewriter. These levers 2, withthe exception presently noted, are arranged substantially as in the conventional typewriter for operation to bring upper and lower case type, not shown, to

the printing point, also numerals, punctuation and other symbols, and to back-space, effect the carriage return, margin release, and tabulation, and have been designated in Figure 16 in accordance with the operations resulting in the typewriter from depression of each of said levers. The exception, previously noted, is that an in? termediate lever 2 of the series effects letter spacing of the typewriter carriage, not shown, through the usual connections well understood in the art, and in the conventional typewriter operated by the space bar, and a spare or dummy lever is provided in the series at the left end of the series, or'left side of the typewriter I,

for a purpose presently apparent. As will be noted upon reference particularly to Figure 16, there are forty-eight levers 2 in the series.

A series of twelve solenoids designated 3 are mounted, as presently described, vertically in side-by-side engagement, for compactness, to extend in a horizontal line across the series of levers 2 and with downwardly extending cores, orarmatures, 4 adapted to be projected and to descend against said levers 2 when the solenoids 3 are energized.

The solenoids 3 are mounted in line in an clone gated, rectangular, open bottom casing 5 extend-s 1 ing endwise across the series of levers 2, horizontally, and endwise slidable from a normal position in horizontal guides 6 in a similarly shaped skeleton frame I endwise movable in the same direction as said casing 5 from a normalposition In the normal position of the solenoids 3', the

slidable casing 5 and the slidable frame I, the cores 4 of the solenoids 3 are positioned to descend upon and operate the first lever of each successive group of four levers 2 in the series counting from the left-hand end of the series as illustrated in Figure 16. The slidable casing 5 is slidable from its normal position into a first advance position, in the slidable frame 1, to advance the line of solenoids 3 from normal position one step from left to right to position the cores 4 to descend upon and operate the second lever 2 in each successive group of four, as shown in dotted lines in Figure16. The slidable frame I is slidablefor advance from normal position twice as far. .the slidable frame 5 to advance the slidable casing 5 into a second advance position and advance the line of solenoids 3 a distanccequal to two steps from normal position to position. the cores 4 to descend upon and operate the third levers 2 in each of the designated groups of four, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 16. Conjoint sliding of the slidable casing 5 into its advance position in the sliding frame I, and sliding of said frame, 1 to further advance the slidable casing 5 will adlines in Figure 16. Thus, it will be seen that the line of twelve solenoid 3 is arranged to operate all forty-eight levers 2 of the series, each sole-, noid-3 operating four of said levers in a group,

selectively.

, For sliding the slidable casing 5 in the slidable 4 the solenoid 3, and having a core, or armature, |I suitably attached, horizontally, to one end of said frame I to be retracted when the solenoid I6 is energized into a coil casing l8 on the corresponding end of the fixed skeleton frame 9. A helical expansion spring l9 on said core I! interposed between said corresponding ends of the slidable frame 1 and the fixed frame 9 yieldingly retains said frame I in normal position established by engagement of the opposite end of said frame 1 with the corresponding end of the fixed frame 9.

In frontof the typewriter is a cylindrical selector for selecting the levers 2 and which is designated as a unit by the numeral 25. The

, selector comprises a cylindrical body 2| of a diameter and length suitable for grasping at both ends by the hands of an operator and which is that said selector 20 is disposed in front of the typewriter I with its axis parallel with the front side of said typewriter, said selector 23 being swingable on the base member 25 rearwardly, away from the operator, for a purpose presently seen. 7

A pair of annular, flat, left and right hand push button switch carriers 28, 29 are rotatably fitted over opposite ends of the body 2| against the flange 22 and retained thereon .by keeper disks 30 secured to the ends of said body 2| by axial screws The push button switch carriers 28, 29 form therebetween a central, circumferential groove around said body partway, for a purpose to be explained. a r

Push button switches for energizing the solenoids-3 are provided in the rear side of the selector 20, there being a lefthand series of four of such switches 33 in the left hand switch carrier 28 for operation by the fingers of the left-hand, and a "similar seriesof such switches 34 in the rightframe I, said casing i provided at one end thereof.

with a horizontal core, or armature, l2 of a solenoid IS, the coil casing M of which is suitably secured, detachably, to the corresponding end of the slidable frame 1, said solenoid l3, when energized, serving to advance the slidable casing 5,

core l2 between said corresponding ends of the;

slidable casing 5 and the slidable frame 1 yieldingly maintains said casing 5 and the solenoids 3.

in normal position. Engagement of the opposite end of the slidable casing 5 with the corresponding end of the slidable frame 1 establishes the-v normal position of said casing 5 under the urge of the spring l5.

. -.The.slidable frame! is slid by. a solenoid l6, like hand switch carrier 29 for operation by the fingers of the right hand, all of said switches being spaced circumferentially on said carriers. At the front of the selector 26, the left and right hand switch carriers 28, 25 are each provided with a pair of left and right hand circumferentially spaced push button switches 55, 35 for operation by the thumbs of the right and left hands of the operator, respectively. These push button switches, see Figures 14 and 15, are of the usual type with a movable button pressed contact 31 for engaging a pair of fixed contacts 38 in opposition to a suitable spring 39 backing the push button 49, the switch parts being arranged in sockets 4| in said carriers 28, 29 and the movable parts of said switches being retained in the sockets by keeper rings, as at 42,threaded into said sockets.

Pairs of insulated leads 43, 44 connect the fixed contacts 38 of the push button switches in opposite sides 45, 46 of a suitable electric circuit with the solenoids 3 suitably interposed in the leads 44 and whereby the push button switches 33, 34, 35, 36 are connected in parallel in the circuit, also the solenoids 3. The leads 43, 44 extend out of said carriers 23, 29 into the beforementioned groove 32 by way of side openings, as at 41, in said carriers and are encased in an insulated sheath 48 which extends to the top of the fixed skeleton frame 9. The leads 44 to the solenoids 3 extend out of said sheath 48 to said.

solenoids 3 between-apair of horizontal top pinch bars 49 forming part of the fixed skeleton frame 9;

As will-nowv be seen, each of'=the push button switches 33, 34, 35, 35, is: designed, when closed by the push button 40, to effect, by energizing one, of the solenoids 3, operation of each of four levers. 2 of a group of four and in the described four different positions assumed by the line of solenoids 3 under step; advance of the slidable. casing 5 and the slidable frame I, and whereby to effect either operation of printing characters, or symbols, to the printing point, not shown, of the typewriter l, or operations. such as back spacing, carriage return, margin release, tabu-. lation, and/or letter spacing'through oueration of the appropriate mechanisms, not shown, of the typewriter and through the medium of the levers 2 which are operated.

For selection of the proper push button switches 33 to 36 to bring desired typeto the printing point, or effect other machine operations, the push button switch carriers 28, 29, as illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 17 and 18, are marked, or otherwise designated, adjacent the push buttons 40 according to the oper ations which will be effected by depression of the push buttons 40 in each of the four described positions of the line of-solenoids 3.

For energizing the solenoids ,|3 and |6, a pair of left and right hand knife switches 5|, 52 are provided on the left and right hand sides of the selector 20 for closing, byslight rotation, clockwise as viewed in Figures 1 and 9, of the left and right hand switch carriers 28, 29. The switches 5|, 52 eachcomprise a movable contact lug 53 on the switch carriers 28, 29, as the case may be, suitably insulated therefrom, as shown, and projecting into a peripheral end recess 54 in the body 2| of the selector 2 closed by the adjacent cap disks 3 0. Relatively fixed knife switch contacts 55 are provided for the contact lugs 53 of the recesses 54. The contacts 55 are connected in opposite sides 45, 45 of the circuit, in pairs, in parallel by leads 56, 51 with the solenoids |3, interposed in the leads 5! for energizing by the left and right hand switches 5|, 52, respectively. The leads 5B, 51 are encased to the solenoids |3, IS in insulation sheaths 58, 59 secured between the pinch bars 49. Suitable spring pressed balls, as at 50, 5|, in the body 2| of the selector 20, retain the left and right hand switches 5|, 52 open or closed. The sheaths 58, 59 extend into the sheath 4B tothe fixed skeleton frame 9 and pass through the switch carriers 28, 29 by way of openings as at 52 in said carriers.

As will now be obvious, by rotating the left hand switch carrier 28 to close the left hand switch 5|, the line of solenoids 3 is moved to advance the same from normal position, one step, by rotating the right hand switch carrier 29 to close the right hand switch 52, the line of solenoids 3 is moved to advance the same from normal position a distance corresponding to two steps, and by rotating both said switch carriers 28, 29, both said switches 5|, 52 will be closed to move the line of solenoids 3 for advance a distance corresponding to three steps, or increments, of movement.

In addition to the foregoing, my invention includes a solenoid for effecting case shift in the typewriter for instance, in the manner disclosed by U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,889,315. This solenoid, designated 65, and shown in Figure 15,

is connected in. the circuit by means-of. leads- 55; 61. from opposite sides 45, 45. of the circuit and connected to opposite sides of the relatively fixed contacts 68 of a third knife-type switch 59, the solenoid 65 being interposed in the lead 51. The knife-type switch 59 is designed to be closed by swinging of the selector 20 on the bolt-24 away from the operator. To this end, the fixed contacts 68 of said switch 59 are suitably fixed in the base member 25 and insulated therefrom. A. blade contact 10 extends laterally from the stem 23 and. is suitably insulated therefrom, as at H, the arrangement being such that upon swinging of the selector 20, as described, the blade contact 10 will descendbetween fixed contacts 68 and close said switch 59. A springpressed ball 12 in the base member 25 yieldingly retains the switch 69 open or closed. The leads 6.6, 61 extend through an insulated sheath 13. A stop 14 on the base member 25 engaged by the blade contact 10 limits swinging of the selector 20 back to normal position and establishes that position.

The manner in which the invention is used and operated will be readily understood from the foregoing and the following summarizing explanation. The selector 20 is grasped at its ends by both hands of the operator with the left hand loosely grasping the left hand switch carrier 28, and the right hand similarly grasping the right hand switch carrier 29, the fingers of the left hand being loosely placed against the push buttons 40 of the left hand series of finger-operative pushbutton switches 33 and the fingers of the right hand similarly positioned against the push buttons 40 of the rig-ht hand series of finger operative push button switches 34. The thumbs are held against said carriers for readyuse on the push buttons 40 of the pairs of thumb operative push button switches 35, 36. The left and right hand switches 5|, 52 for energizing the solenoids l3, l5 may be left open, or closed, by rotation of said carriers 28, 29, in the manner described, to either leave the line of solenoids 3 in normal position or advance said line so that levers 2 of the groups of four operative by the cores 4 may be selectively operated through finger operation of the push buttons 40 of selected switches of the series 33, 34, or thumb operation of the pairs of switches 35, 35 may be resortedobviously act as-keys selected in accordance with the desired operation of the typewriter and provide for obviatingfinger shifting fromkey to key and fatiguing suspensionof the arms in typ-" ing. All fingers of both hands are permanently positioned'for instant use without shifting the hands or fingers and the thumbs are advantageously used in a like manner.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to im-' part a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appendediclaimsl v arse-e65:

i I-iaving describedthe invention; what isclaimed s n is asiollow '1 Operating ine' hanism for a typewriter "com prising a series of levers adapted for operation to efiect typing in said typewriter and other operations therein, solenoids for operating said levers less in number than said levers and movable relative to said series of flevers' in unison forselective' operation tooperate selectedflevers, means for moving said solenoids, means for operating said solenoids selectively, and a member for'grasping by bothhands and embodying manipulative controlsfor both'said means. v

2; Operating mechanism for a typewriter comprising a. series of depressible levers adapted for operation to effect typing in the typewriter and other operations therein, means for operating said levers including a series of solenoids mov-" able across said series of levers laterally thereof in unison for selective operation respectively of difierent levers in the series, a member remote from the typewriter for grasping by both hands;

thumboperativepush button control devices re- 4.- Operating mechanism fora typewriter comprising-a series of levers adapted for operation to effect-typing in said typewriter and other operations' therein, a series of solenoids less in number than said levers movable relative to said levers across' the same'in unison for selective operation to operate said' levers selectively, a hand gripmember'separate'from said typewriter for grasping by both hands. rotary devices on said member for; rotation by-thehands, key forming device's oln-said'rotary devices, means to move said'solen'oids" by rotation ofsaid rotary devices, and

means to operate said'solen'oids selectively under control of said key forming devices." 5 A-pparati isfor operating a typewriter comprising a'series of side by side levers adapted for; operation to effect typing in the typewriter and' other'operations' therein, a series of solenoids-of less number than said levers arranged in line and movable in line in unison across the-series of levers into operativerelation to difierent levers,

a' hand grip member separate from the typewriter adapted for grasping by both hands of an operator, electromagnetic-,means for variably moving said solenoids, an electriccirouit forenergizing saidsolenoids and in which said electromagnetic means is interposed, and manipulative devices onsaid member for controlling said .circuit to ener-v gize said solenoids; andfsaid electromagnetic means selectively. f j 1 j" I 6. Apparatus for operating a typewriter comprising a series of side by'sideleversadapted for; operation to effect typing in said typewriter and other operations therein, a series of solenoids of less number than said levers arranged in line and movable in line in unison across the series of levers into operative relation to different 1evers, a hand grip member separate from the typewriter adapted -for -g rasping' by' both hands "of an opera tor, a pair of right andleft hand rotary control.

devices on said hand grip member for operation by the right and left hands-ofthe operator, and means for variably'moving said solenoids controlled by rotation of said'control devices.

If-Apparatus for-operating a typewriter comprising a series of side by side levers adapted for operation to effect typing in said typewriter-- and other operationstherein, a series of solenoids of less number than said levers arranged in line and movable'in line in unison across the series of levers into operative relation to different levers, a hand grip member separate from 1 the typewriter adapted -for grasping by both handsof an operator, a pair of right and lefthand rotary control members on said hand grip member foroperatio'nby the right and left hands of the operator, and means for variably moving" 7 said solenoids controlled by rotation of said control members singly-"and con-jointly.

- 8; Apparatus for operating a typewriter com-i prising a series of side by side levers adapted" for operation to efiect typing in the typewriter and other operations therein, a series of solenoids or less 'numberthansaid levers arranged in line and movable in line in unison across the series of levers into'operative relation to different levers, a hand grip'member separate from the typewriter adapted for grasping by both hands of an operator, 3, pairo'f annular right and left hand control members surrounding the hand" grip member and rotatably mounted thereon for operation by the right and left hands of the operator grasping said hand grip member, and

electromagnetic means for variably moving said solenoids controlled by'rotation of said controlmembers singly and conjointly.

9. Apparatus for operating a. typewriter comprisinga-series'of side by side levers adapted for operation to effect typing in said typewriter and other operationstherein, a series of solenoidsof less number than said levers arranged in line and movable 'in line in unison across the series of levers into operative relation to difierent levers, a'casing for said solenoids, a frame in which said'casingis 'slidably mounted: for moving the solenoids in limited degree; saidframe being slidably mounted to movesa'id oas ing" past itslimit of 'rnovement, and el'e'ctro for sliding 'said casing fand magnetic means frame selectively; i

i 10. Apparatus for operating a typewriter, hav ingcase shift mechanism comprising a series of side by side levers "adapted to operate said typewriter for typing,"- a series of solenoids of less numberthan said levers movable in unison into operative relation to different levers for operating the" same; a' hand grip member for grasping by the hands of" an operator separate from" said typewriter' and swingably mounted, key forming devices on said member, means for energizing said-solenoids selectively under con-' trol' of said devices-a solenoid adapted for connection to said 'cas'e shift mechanism; and means to energize said "last-mentioned solenoid controlled by swinging of said hand grip member.

ll; A remote control for a typewriter operating mechanism in which solenoids and electromagnets are interposed I in an electric circuit, said control comprising :a' circular hand grip mem ber, a pair of circular control devices rotatably mounted onopposite sides of'said member for grasping and"rotation-by the right and left hands; of an operator, contact'elementson said mem-- 9. her and devices engaged by rotation of said devices singly and conjointly, selectively, and adapted for connection in said circuit to close circuit to the electromagnets singly and in unison, and push button switches on said devices for operation by the fingers and thumbs of the hands and adapted for connection in said circuit to close circuit to said solenoids singly.

12. A remote control for a typewriter operating mechanism in which electromagnets are interposed in an electric circuit, said controls comprising a circular hand grip member, a pair of circular control devices rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said member for grasping and rotation by the right and left hands of an operator, and contact elements on said member and devices engaged by rotation of said devices singly and conjointly, selectively, and adapted for connection in said circuit to close circuit to the electromagnets singly and in unison.

13. A remote control for typewriter operating mechanism in which solenoids are interposed in an electric circuit, said control comprising a circular hand grip member, a pair of circular control devices rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said member for grasping and rotation 10 by the right and left hands of an operator, and push button switches on said devices for operation by the fingers and thumbs of the hands and adapted for connection in said circuit to close circuit to said solenoids singly.

14. A remote control according to claim 13 wherein said push button switches are circumferentially spaced around said devices in spaced apart groups at diametrically opposite sides of said devices for positioning of the fingers and thumbs of the hands on the push buttons of the switches in the groups.

HERMAN JARMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 625,408 Neal et a1 May 23, 1899 750,572 Beyerlen Jan. 26, 1904 1,302,181 Lamar Apr. 29, 1919 1,753,991 Langford Apr. 8, 1930 25 2,346,819 Buckley Apr. 18, 1944 

